Topic of Today: Bullying

-told *tell em

A lot of people don't understand the many struggles that come with being from a different country, not being born here, not speaking the language amongst other things. Many will say and you probably have been one of them (surely hope not), "why do people not speak English? we live in the US....." Im sure all of us, even most of us have heard this at least once in our life whether in our crowd or surroundings. And if you have been one to say it, I'd like for you to keep this in mind next time- immigrants come to this country with hope of a new and better life. Some are young, some are older... you may know where they're coming from but you will almost never ever know the motives behind them chasing this "dream" so before you judge someone think about the struggles, sacrifices and all the crap they probably had to go through just to make it here. Learning a second language comes easier if you're younger, with opportunities for help to learn BUT what people fail to understand is that not everyone has the necessary means to accomplish this objective. Don't be that ignorant American judging immigrants from all places because they don't speak perfect English, may have an accent or only know 1/3 of your English vocabulary. And I am no one to judge you all either but I can say that, every single immigrant that has come into this country one way or another is just as smart or more than the judgmental, ignorant, and small minded beings I have come across in my last fifteen years living in this beautiful place.

With that said, I'll share that I moved to California from Mexico City when I was 10 1/2 years old, we were chasing my parents' dreams, now my own. I had taken English classes back home for awhile but I never really thought we'd ever move here so I didn't care too much to actually learn the language. I was so little, can you really blame me? After moving here, of course with no friends and hardly any family going to school was definitely a struggle for me. During 6th grade kids used to pick on me because I didn't speak English nor did I really understand anything they said to me except for their mean laughs and smirks. My English vocabulary consisted of about ten words; chicken, window, pencil, donuts....you get my point. So going to school was hard 1. because the kids didn't want to play with me 2. I understood about 5% of all my classes 3. I was humiliated. I had to always take a little note with me in my pocket from home, that read, "May I please use the restroom?" so that any time it was time for business I could show it to my teachers. One day when I finally made a friend, we walked home together but she lived the opposite way from me....because I was so excited to have made a friend, I didn't pay attention to where I was walking and after separating I realized I was lost. Because I didn't speak English much, I never paid attention to the street names, I just knew which way to walk home so for the next three hours I walked around in circles, up and down all streets of the city crying trying to find my way back home and again, because I didn't speak English it's not like I could just ask someone for help.
One day, I got tired of getting picked on and being humiliated at school...I made a promise to myself. I stood in front of my bathroom mirror and promised myself I'd learn English to prove them all wrong. I had no idea how long it'd take but I was very sure I was going to make it happen. Nonetheless, six months into school and plenty of after-school special "help" classes I had accomplished my first American goal and promise to myself. I was very lucky to have had such supportive teachers in school, and cool bilingual kid friends that liked me for me and not my vocabulary. But I am grateful for the experience because it taught me many things about life, this country, people, and myself. It truly made me the go-getter that I pride myself to be today. We all have a dream...big or small, some harder than others. Mine, I had to move countries, leave my childhood friends behind, most of my family, learn a second language and fight the battles in society day after day to make it to where I am today to say the least.

So next time you think you can't, you better think twice, stand in front of that mirror and promise yourself to always go after what you want. I know it may get hard sometimes or you may want to give up but the feeling you get after YOU accomplished something you never thought you could or would does not measure up to anything else in the world. It becomes something you created and no one can take it from you. Stop letting small minded, insecure people take the will from you. Cherish all your flaws, mistakes, and failures because believe me....anything is possible and sky is no longer the limit. There are no limits.

If you're willing to put the work in, you will see results. Guaranteed.

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but I feel all a yáll

I was bullied for a hand full of reasons, number 1 my last name, which im not gonna say but it is a name I hate to tell ppl, every time I meet new people I always prepare my self to get picked on or teased, number to my is the fact that I wear glasses, know I know everyone one knows jokes for people with glasses, just imagine being one of those people, but it makes no sense to me cuz now a days glasses are in very popular and stylish, number 3 I was a person that had strong heart I was a lover not a fighter, I honestly think people would take that and run with it cuz they knew I would not fight, been punked, talked about teased and picked on but never really defended myself to that point of putting my hands on someone only don't get me wrong, ONLY if they put their hands on me, four in school skinny was in skinny was the shit reminded you im a thick chick and always have been, never fat but thick, I matured physically at a young age, so I had butt and all people mostly the boys would call me fat and this and that I just wasn't the it girl, hurted my feelings, but you know what through all that I love who I am now and never did words kill me or take away my ass and everything else that I love..Lol..last is being quite, I never down graded myself to try to be popular or be that girl people wanted to be with, if you ain't love me for who I was I said fuck you and kept it movin, I hung out with people I knew would not laugh in my face and talk about me behind my back, so through all that, IM STILL STANDING, and I am gonna always be me, still having love for people, hate me or not..still gonna smile and live my life, and that is the story of the girl you know as NAYNAY

thank you all for sharing your words. each one of us has overcome and it is our duty by the laws of love to make sure we continue to share these stories with others in hopes to inspire the lost, heal the wounded and cleanse our own spirits. i appreciate you. I must say Reesie special props to you for not only learning a hard as language like english that but mastering it. Your post was very articulate and well written. Looks like you have a career in teaching others. Bless you all. And NAY NAY your last name is part of my name so i love it enough for the both of us.

I agree 100% pandora2012 u too, stay strong. The world needs more people like you.
Appreciate ya back nor for taking the initiative to make this a subject to be talked about, so important in this new day. What better way to help than to bring awareness to the rest of us, better yet try and make a difference in someone's life. And thank you very much for the compliment, one can only try and improve.

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